Before the "Big Day"

Allow me to share with you a few more words of wisdom from Max Lucado's "God Came Near."

In Chapter 29 he tells the story of a time when their daughter almost drowned in a friend's pool. Lucado said, "The stool was kicked out from under my feet and the rope jerked around my neck just long enough to remind me of what really matters. It was a divine slap, a gracious knock on the head, a severe mercy. Because of it I came face to face with one other the underground's slyest agents - the agent of familiarity.

His commission from the black throne room is clear, and fatal: 'Take nothing from your victim; cause him only to take everything for granted'...His goal is nothing less than to take what is most precious to us and make it appear common...He won't steal your salvation; he'll just make you forget what it was like to be lost. You'll grow accustomed to prayer and thereby not pray. Worship will become commonplace and study optional. With the passing of time he'll infiltrate your heart with boredom and cover the cross with dust so you'll be 'safely' out of reach of change. Score one for the agent of familiarity.

Nor will he steal your home from you; he'll do something far worse. He'll paint it with a familiar coat of drabness.

He'll replace evening gowns with bathrobes, nights on the town with evenings in the recliner, and romance with routine. He'll scatter the dust of yesterday over the wedding pictures in the hallway until they become a memory of another couple in another time.

He won't take your children, he'll just make you too busy to notice them...Before you know it, the little face that brought tears to your eyes in the delivery room has become - perish the thought - common. A common kid sitting in the back seat of your van as whiz down the fast lane of life. Unless something changes, unless someone wakes you up, that common kid will become a common stranger."

I don't know what it is about human nature, but we tend to forget how special people are in our lives. Salvation loses its zeal, marriage loses it expectancy, and relationships lose their value. I pray that during this Christmas season that you will not forget the miracle of the virgin birth. I know...it has become almost common. We have seen the nativity's, hung the lights, and wrapped the presents. I hope that this Christmas you will remember why we celebrate. May we capture the wonder of the shepherds, the excitement of Mary & Joseph, and the love of God in giving His Son Jesus to save us from our sins. And while you're at it: enjoy the time that God has given you with your family. Allow your kids to enjoy Christmas and don't worry about the schedule. Rip open presents with joy & gladness. Love those whom God has given you.

May each of you be able to capture the true meaning and joy of Christmas. I hope to share with you after the holidays. Merry Christmas.